Step protector



April 24, 1928. 1,667,040

' D. F. LARKIN v STEP PROTECTOR Filed April 23, 1925 Patented Apr. 24, 1928 c 1 STATES PAT n DENNIS F. LARK N, or SAN FRANCISCO; CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR To THELARKIN SPECIALTY MANUFACTURING CO.,-OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,v ACORIORA 'TION OF CALIFORNIA.

Application filed April 2s,i9 25., Serial 110 2 5384.

This invention relates to improvements in has for its principal objcctthe protection of step nosings and treads I b .forined to' rest upon the stair treadand encompassthe nosing. I

step protectors and against undue wear andinjury.

A further object is to provide a; safety tread, adjacent the'sta'ir nosing, that w'ill add nonslipping with increased wearingqualities at this point.

, Another object is to provide against the possible accumulation of dust' anddirt beneath the protector while adding increasedj stability andsecurity of attacliment of the protector.

7 Other objects and advantages will appearas'the description progresses #In' this specification and the annexed the best; but it. is to be understood that the invention is not limited tosuch form, be-

cause it may be embodied in other forms and it is to be understood that in and bv the claims following the descrintion it'is desired ings: Fig. 1, isa fragmentary perspectiveof a stair, partly in cross-section having a nos in'g protector constructed and applied infaccordance with thlsunvention. F 1g. 2 and Fig.3, are cross-sectional detailsof modified- "forms of the lnvention. Fig. 4 is a similar View of Fig. .2, applie d to the stair nosing, which is shownin cross section, llustrat ng' the frictional and mechanical fastening of the protector to the nosing. Fig. 5, is a similar View illustrating a form. especially applicable to automobile running boards and square nosed stairs. Fig. 6, is a similar View of a modification having inserted non-slip buttons. 4

It is desired to differentiate this invention from step encompass and reinforce the nosing. 1 Fully ninety percent of the wear and tear on stairs is on and adjacent to the nosing. Likewise,

this is the point of danger to the pedestrian,

especially on wooden treads that wear un evenly, split, chip and give beneath. the weight of the person. This invention insures uniformtreads, easily placed and'replaced when worn, witha nosing having the necessary non-slip qualities, yet with no corners or angles likely to trip or catch the toe or soles of the shoes ofpedestrians.

Broadly stated the invention comprises an drawings, the invention is illustrated in the form considered;

pads and treads that do not STEP PROTECTOR.

integral. strip] of metal,

, preferably sheet steel, electro. galvanized or otherwise treatedto: resist corrosion and increasevisibility and pendicular to the tread and-countersunkinto the surfaceof the step 1. The tread 4, ex- "tends forward and vis-bent at 6, t'o the con- 7 tour of the nosingi', and extends wellunderthenosing at Steward the riser 2.; For

' ornan'ientation" and additional rigidity, this extens on 8, may be formed mtoflan ornamental scotia9, or other'orn'amentaljshape, to give finish to'the angle between the underside of the step. and the riser. j ,i The length ofthe tread may beequal to the distance betweenthef' stringers 3, or it drawings, referringto Figurehfincludes the "usturlstair step .1, resting upon' the'riser 2, the ends of which are gained into stringers 3, 011 otherwise constructed in accordance with this art; I I i, l M 1' The protector comprises the tread 4, hav- 1 'ing the down. turned fiangeh, preferably permaybe confinedtothe central portionofjt lie 1 step where the major wearis, leaving lateral spacesbetween the'endsi 10 of the tread and the ad acent stringers. 3; These spaces facilitate sweepingin cleaning thefsteps'. f The flange 5, also prevents dust and dlrt accuinjulating'beneath the protector. i

The standard wooden step ,1,

to about one' and. one-eighth inches in :thick- 'ne'ss; with the rounded nosing 7." 'The contour of the curve -6,'including the extension. "8, of the protector, is slightly less in radius than the radius of the nosing (see Figure so that when the protector is forced into position, the inherent tension of the metal pro- .eector will cause the extension 8, to bear firmly against the underside of the step, to cause a good frictional adherence at this point; while the curve 6, snugly fits the nos ing 7, to firmly grip and reinforce the nos- 1ng.- With'the protector 11, are driven through the'holes 12, near the oppositeendslO, andpartly into the step 1, to hold the protector in position, while a chisel is driven into the step along the flange 5, thelength of'thetread, to form a channel or kerfto receive the flange 5, andcounter sink it into the surface ofthe step. The

flange 5, is then hammered gently along its thus applied, two nails length until the underside of the tread 4,

rests against the step. Then all the nails 11, are driven home, securely fastening the protector to. the step. The flange 5, entering the channel, tends to draw the protector against the nosing 7. Trunk nails are preferred because they have suitable oval heads and cut points slender enough to follow the grain of the Wood and tend to clinch,

see Figure 4. I a

g It is highly desirable that the tread 4, be of sufficient width to carry the'fl'ange 5, Well back of the riser 2. In factories and build i'ngs where packing cases and the like are skidded up and down the stairs, the nosings are often chipped or split olf' backito the risers, to which they are secured by the nails 18' nailin at this aoint tendin to induce 7. k v t) splitting of the clear grained step 1.

The tread portion '4, is provided with spaced rows of embossments in staggered relatlon, to prevent slipping. The first roW of embossments 14,, are arranged, preferably just forward of a vertical line 15, through the radial center of the nosing, approximately thirty degrees'off perpendicular. This is the point of greatest Wear and possible slipping. These embossments 14, are preferably long and narrow, that being the form best suited for the purpose at this point. The

ing 6, as shown, in Figure 4. This form of protectorcan be applied; to carpeted stair- Ways the flangesfi. and 17 embedding t-hemselves into the pi'le'offtlie carpetandfc an, be

depended upon to hold without nailing, es-' pecially if provided With the serrations such as 18 (see Figure 2).

In cement stairsthe protectorscan beatcovering of the running board. Figure 6,

illustrates a means for inserting pressed carborundum or other composition buttons 14* and 16*, through countersunk Openings in thetread 4*. These buttons serve the same function but are more durable than the embossments let- 16.

Having thus described this invention What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

- 1. A step protector comprising a strip of sheet metal having an edge flanged perpendicularly to and adap'ted to be countersunk into the step and a bent edge adapted to enclose the step nosing.

2. A' step protector comprising a strip of sheet metal having a flanged edge adapted to be countersunk into the Step and a bent edge adapted to enclose the step nosing, and terminating in a flanged edg'ebeneath said nosing. 7

' A step protectorcomprising a strip of sheet metal having a flanged edge bent substantially perpendicularly to the tread portion andadapted to be coiintersunl'z into-the step; and a curved portion adaptedto en close and, resiliently engage beneathtlie step nosing, v V V I In testimony whereof I' have hereunto affixed my. signature,

DENNIS; times; 

